# On the Historical Lineage and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a definitive statement concerning the historical lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, addressing its dormancy following its merger with the Crown in 1399 and its subsequent, and formal, revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
In response to sustained and considered interest from Members of Parliament, historians, and specialists in constitutional and peerage law, the Office of the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby has determined to place on the public record an authoritative account of the Barony’s unique historical trajectory. This communication serves to clarify the precise legal and historical circumstances surrounding the title’s character.
The focus of this statement is the pivotal moment in 1399 when the Barony, then held by Henry Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV, was subsumed into the sovereignty of the Crown. The accurate narration of this history is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty of stewardship. This act of clarification is therefore offered in a spirit of public education, historical transparency, and profound respect for the constitutional conventions that have shaped the United Kingdom.
This statement is intended to provide an incontrovertible historical record, ensuring that the provenance and continuity of this ancient dignity are understood with clarity and precision by contemporary and future generations alike.
## Historical Context
The origins of the Barony of Brattleby are recorded with immutable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086. Following the Norman Conquest, the title was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The great survey documented his extensive holdings, which comprised 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
For more than three centuries, the title remained one of considerable regional consequence and, increasingly, of national importance. It passed through a direct and collateral lineage of distinguished holders who were intrinsically linked to the governance and defence of the realm. The Barony’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, has remained its territorial anchor for over nine hundred years.
The critical juncture in the Barony’s history occurred in the late 14th century. Through inheritance, the title passed to His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. Upon the Duke’s death in 1399, all his titles and estates passed to his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke. Later that year, Bolingbroke deposed his cousin, King Richard II, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV. In accordance with established constitutional precedent, his lesser dignities—*inter alia*, the Dukedom of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby—merged in the Crown.
Crucially, the title was not extinguished; rather, it became dormant, its rights and dignity held in suspension by the person of the Sovereign. This unique status is the *sine qua non* for understanding its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony is marked by figures who left an indelible mark upon the history of England. Notable among these was Nichola de la Haye who, as the 5th Baroness in her own right, inherited the title in the late 12th century. A figure of extraordinary resolve, she was appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a feat which secured her place in the national consciousness. Her actions exemplified the fortitude later enshrined in the House motto.
Centuries later, the Barony passed to another formidable individual: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. A founding Knight of the Garter, he was one of King Edward III’s most trusted commanders during the Hundred Years' War and was widely regarded as a paragon of chivalry and diplomacy. His standing was such that his ducal title was granted for his lifetime, a rare honour.
The marriage of his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to Prince John of Gaunt brought the Barony of Brattleby into the immediate orbit of the Royal Family. It was this ducal and royal inheritance, passing from Henry of Grosmont to John of Gaunt, which set the stage for its eventual and historic merger with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The legal principle of a title merging in the Crown is a specific and significant point of English peerage law. It dictates that when the holder of a peerage accedes to the throne, their subsidiary titles are not terminated but are instead absorbed by the pre-eminent dignity of the monarch. This ensures that the Sovereign does not hold a peerage from, or owe fealty to, himself. The Barony of Brattleby thus remained on the official roll of peerages, its status changed to dormant.
This state of dormancy, which endured for over six centuries, was the essential legal condition precedent that allowed for the Barony’s rightful revival. The re-establishment of the title in the 21st century was not a new creation but the termination of a long abeyance. This meticulous legal and historical process, undertaken with the utmost respect for ancient precedent, was concluded when the revival was formally recognised by The Crown.
The requisite notice was subsequently published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This formal act represented the conclusion of a profound constitutional journey, ensuring the unbroken continuity of the ancient Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history and ethos of the House are powerfully distilled in its heraldic attributes. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding precept for all the House’s undertakings. It directly reflects the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln, and the honourable service to the Crown rendered by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. It remains the lodestar for the House in the 21st century.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but in the classical tradition of overcoming adversity, of striving for excellence, and of actively shaping a better future. It speaks to the dynamic and forward-looking vision of the modern House, which seeks to apply these ancient virtues to contemporary challenges and philanthropic opportunities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the Barony comes a renewed and profound sense of duty. The Noble House of Brattleby views the title not as a private inheritance, but as a public trust—a platform for meaningful service and cultural stewardship. This commitment is enacted through a focused programme of philanthropic and educational activities, representing a modern interpretation of the principle of *noblesse oblige*.
The House’s principal charitable endeavour is its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital and discreet work in providing specialist therapeutic care to young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by profound trauma. The organisation's mission is to rebuild shattered lives and restore a sense of hope and security to the most vulnerable.
To this end, the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in Lincolnshire, serves as the primary fundraising event for this cause. This occasion brings together distinguished guests in an effort to secure the substantial funds required to advance the charity's mission and extend its reach.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the Barony’s revival and the responsibilities it confers, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> “To be entrusted with a title held by figures such as John of Gaunt is to accept a profound responsibility. Our primary duty is to be worthy stewards of this nine-hundred-year history and to ensure its legacy contributes positively to the world today. We are merely the current custodians of an unbroken thread of English history.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, commenting on the House's forward-looking agenda, added:
> “History provides our foundation, but our actions must define our future. We are committed to ensuring the name of Brattleby is synonymous not only with a distinguished past but with active, principled engagement in the present—in Lincolnshire, across Britain, and in our cultural work abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a durable legacy of positive impact and public service. The philanthropic focus on the welfare of young people and the cultural mission of The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, are central pillars of this work. The latter serves as a bridge for cultural understanding between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The future of the Barony is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession. His upbringing and education will be guided by the principles of duty, service, and historical stewardship that define the House.
Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the House will continue to uphold its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Through their dedicated work, they will ensure that this ancient title serves a noble, relevant, and constructive purpose for the generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the official office supporting the public duties, philanthropic interests, and cultural engagements of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the modern House is committed to a contemporary interpretation of stewardship. This includes the preservation of its nine-century heritage, a dedication to public service through education, and a focused charitable programme. The House’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation supporting traumatised youth. Its cultural diplomacy is advanced through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, fostering greater cross-cultural understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making it a cornerstone of the Norman settlement. The Barony’s history is inextricably interwoven with that of the England, having been held by influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later by members of the Plantagenet dynasty. Through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, Prince John of Gaunt, the Barony became linked to the Crown. In 1399, it merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and became dormant. Its revival was formally recognised through a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com